Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera Parts and controls Triple-dial-control Custom key assignment Instruction Manual Operations E-mount NEX-7 AF/MF button/AEL button Others
Table of contents This [Operations] describes basic operation of the camera, and some advanced operations using the major functions. See [Getting Started] for information on how to set up the camera, and the [Handbook] on the CD-ROM (supplied) for more detailed functions and operations. Getting Started Operations Handbook (This manual) Parts and controls Recording........................................................................... 5 Playback.......................................................
Others Menu list............................................................................ 30 The unique digital shooting functions............................... 39 α Handbook ...................................................................... 42 Restriction of the functions ............................................... 43 Number of recordable images.......................................... 46 List of icons on the screen................................................ 49 Troubleshooting ...........
Parts and controls All the major parts of your camera, and controls and buttons that are used for recording, playback, and setups are described here.
Recording Navigation button Selects the adjustment settings for the Triple-dial-control operation. Control dial R Sets the items that appear at the top right of the screen. Parts and controls Control dial L Sets the items that appear at the top left of the screen. Shutter button Shoots still images. Allows you to focus on the subject when it is pressed half way down. Zoom ring Zooms in or out the subject (when a zoom lens is used). ON/OFF (Power) switch Turns on the camera at ON, off the camera at OFF.
(Flash pop-up) button* Pops up the built-in flash. Press the button when you want to fire the flash. Push the flash down to retract it when you do not want to fire the flash (page 44). MOVIE button Records movies. Pressing this button again stops recording (page 41). AF/MF button/AEL button At AF/MF, the focusing mode switches between auto and manual while the button is held down (page 27). At AEL, AE is locked while the button is held down (page 28). button Selects the drive mode.
Playback (Playback) button Switches between the shooting mode and the playback mode. DISP button Switches the screen display. Control wheel Selects the image. button Displays the image index. (Enlarge Image) button Enlarges the image on the screen when it is pressed while is displayed at the center on the right side of the screen. Turning the control wheel adjusts the scaling. Parts and controls (Delete) button Deletes the image when is displayed at the lower right corner of the screen.
Setup Navigation button Selects the adjustment settings for the Triple-dialcontrol operation. Control dial L Sets the items that appear at the top left of the screen. Control dial R Sets the items that appear at the top right of the screen. Soft key A Activates the function displayed at the upper right corner of the screen. Soft key C Activates the function displayed at the center on the right side of the screen. GB 8 Control wheel Sets the items that appear to the right of the screen.
Triple-dial-control The Triple-dial-control allows you to adjust the various shooting settings quickly and intuitively, using the 3 dials and the Navigation button.
Triple-dial-control operation The Triple-dial-control allows you to adjust or set various shooting adjustment items, simultaneously, on a single screen. Even though you can set these functions separately on the menu screen, using the Triple-dial-control, you can adjust these functions interactively on the same screen.
3 Set each settings by turning the control dials L/R and the control wheel. z Navigation button Each time you press the button, the item toggles as follows. Exposure Settings r Focus Settings r D-Range Settings r Triple-dial-control White Balance Settings r In addition, [Picture Effect Settings] and [Custom Settings] are available. You can select the settings you want to use by selecting MENU t [Setup] t [Function Settings]. The Exposure Settings is permanent and cannot be altered.
Functions of the control dials The control dials and the control wheel have different tasks, depending on the “Settings” currently in effect. See “Settings modes available” (pages 13 to 20) for more details.
Settings modes available What you can set with each Settings mode are described here. indicates the default setting.
Control dial L (Multi) The camera uses the 25 AF areas and focuses automatically. • When the Face Detection function is active, AF operates with priority on faces. (Center) The camera uses the AF area located in the center area exclusively. (Flexible Spot) Moves the focusing area to focus on a small subject or narrow area. Press soft key B to bring the focusing area back to the center. Focus Settings (MF mode) You can set the enlarged position for manual focusing.
Control dial L AWB (Auto WB) The camera automatically detects a light source and adjusts the color temperature. (Daylight) If you select an option to suit a specific light source, the color temperature is adjusted for the light source (preset white balance). (Shade) (Cloudy) (Incandescent) (Fluor.: Warm White) Triple-dial-control (Fluor.: Cool White) (Fluor.: Day White) (Fluor.: Daylight) (Flash) (C.Temp./Filter) Adjusts the color temperature depending on the light source.
D-Range Settings Set the optimum level. Set the exposure compensation value (–5.0 EV to +5.0 EV). Set the mode. This figure shows the histogram before the D-Range Optimizer or the Auto HDR was applied, not that of the image that will actually be shot. Control wheel (Off) Does not use [DRO/Auto HDR]. (D-Range By dividing the image into small areas, the camera analyzes the contrast of light and shadow between the subject and the background, producing the image with the optimal brightness and gradation.
z To use the D-Range Settings effectively By combining the DRO/Auto HDR manual setting (exposure difference/ DRO-Level) and the exposure compensation, you can control the range of the contrast of light and shadow (gradations) to be reproduced. With DRO, set a DRO-Level to reproduce the shadow side, and set a minus value of exposure compensation to reproduce the light side. A large minus compensation and DRO-Level setting may cause noise.
(Clear) For capturing images in a clear tone with limpid colors in the highlighted area, suitable for capturing radiant light. (Deep) For capturing images with deep and dense color expressions, suited to capturing the solid presence of the subject. (Light) For capturing images with bright and uncomplicated color expressions, suited to capturing refreshingly light ambience. (Portrait) For shooting the skin color in a soft tone, ideally suited for shooting portraits.
Picture Effect Settings Set the mode. Set the option. (Off) Does not use the Picture Effect function. (Toy Camera) Creates the look of a Toy Camera photo with shaded corners and pronounced colors. You can set the color tone with the control dial R. (Pop Color) Creates a vivid look by emphasizing color tones. (Posterization) Creates a high contrast, abstract look by heavily emphasizing primary colors, or in black and white. You can select primary colors or black and white with the control dial R.
(HDR Painting) Creates the look of a painting, enhancing the colors and details. The camera releases the shutter 3 times. You can set the intensity of the effect with the control dial R. (Rich-tone Mono.) Creates an image in black and white with rich gradation and reproduction of details. The camera releases the shutter 3 times. (Miniature) Creates an image which enhances the subject vividly, with the background defocused considerably. This effect may often be found in pictures of miniature models.
Custom key assignment You can assign the functions you frequently use to any one of 4 keys. This will be handy as you can call up the function by just pressing the key.
Assigning the functions to the custom keys You can assign the functions you use frequently to the right key of the control wheel, soft key C, soft key B and AF/ MF button. AF/MF button MENU Soft key C Soft key B Right key GB 22 1 Select MENU. 2 Select [Setup] t [Custom Key Settings]. 3 Select the function to be assigned. 4 Press the key to call up the function assigned to the key.
Functions that can be assigned The functions that can be assigned to each key are as follows. indicates the default setting. AF/MF button AF/MF control MF Assist Focus Settings Right Key Setting White Balance AF/MF Select Metering Mode Autofocus Mode DRO/Auto HDR Autofocus Area Picture Effect Precision Dig.
Soft key B Setting Shoot Mode White Balance AF/MF Select Metering Mode Autofocus Mode DRO/Auto HDR Autofocus Area Picture Effect Precision Dig. Zoom Creative Style Face Detection Flash Mode Smile Shutter Flash Compensation Soft Skin Effect MF Assist Quality Focus Settings ISO Not set Soft key C Setting Shoot Mode Custom [Custom] of [Soft key C Setting] You can set this item when you set [Soft key C Setting] to [Custom].
AF/MF Select Autofocus Mode Autofocus Area Face Detection Smile Shutter Soft Skin Effect Quality ISO ([Custom 1] default setting) White Balance ([Custom 2] default setting) Metering Mode DRO/Auto HDR ([Custom 3] default setting) Picture Effect Custom key assignment Creative Style Flash Mode Not set ([Custom 4/5] default setting) GB 25
AF/MF button/AEL button You can switch focusing between auto and manual temporarily with the AF/MF button. You can lock the AE with the AEL button.
Switching the focusing mode with the AF/MF button The focusing mode switches from auto or direct manual to manual, and from manual to auto. 1 Set the AF/MF/AEL switch lever to AF/MF. The button becomes the AF/MF button. 2 Press the AF/MF button. The focusing mode switches while the button is held down (the default setting). You can make the focusing mode to remain switched even if you remove your finger from the button by selecting MENU t [Setup] t [AF/MF control].
Locking the AE with AEL button 1 Set the AF/MF/AEL switch lever to AEL. The button becomes the AEL (AE lock) button. 2 Focus on the spot for which you want to set the exposure. 3 Press the AEL button. 4 Holding the AEL button down, focus on your desired subject and shoot. The exposure is locked and (AE lock) lights up. You can keep the AE locked until you press the AEL button again by selecting MENU t [Setup] t [AEL].
Others You will find all the setting items available (Menu), certain unique functions, the screen display, specifications, etc. here.
Menu list You can select and use various functions from the menu. When you press MENU, 6 menu items; [Shoot Mode], [Camera], [Image Size], [Brightness/Color], [Playback], and [Setup], appear on the screen. You can set various functions in each item. Items that cannot be set in the context are displayed in gray. Shoot Mode Allows you to select a shooting mode, such as exposure mode, panoramic, Scene Selection.
Camera Allows you to set shooting functions, such as continuous shooting, self-timer, remote-control shooting, and flash. Single Shooting/Cont. Shooting/Spd Priority Cont./ Self-timer/Self-timer(Cont)/ Bracket: Cont./Remote Cdr. Flash Mode Flash Off/Autoflash/Fill-flash/Slow Sync./Rear Sync./ Wireless AF/MF Select Autofocus/DMF/Manual Focus Autofocus Area Multi/Center/Flexible Spot Autofocus Mode Single-shot AF/Continuous AF Object Tracking On/Off Prec. Dig. Zoom Max.
Image Size Allows you to set the image size and aspect ratio, etc. Still Image Size 3:2: L: 24M/M: 12M/S: 6M 16:9: L: 20M/M: 10M/S: 5.
Brightness/Color Allows you to make brightness settings such as metering mode, and color settings such as white balance. –5.0EV to +5.0EV ISO ISO AUTO/100 - 16000 White Balance Auto WB/Daylight/Shade/Cloudy/Incandescent/ Fluor.: Warm White/Fluor.: Cool White/Fluor.: Day White/Fluor.: Daylight/Flash/C.Temp./Filter/Custom/ Custom Setup Metering Mode Multi/Center/Spot Flash Comp. –3.0EV to +3.0EV DRO/Auto HDR Off/D-Range Opt.
Playback Allows you to set playback functions. Delete Multiple Img./All in Folder/All AVCHD view files Slide Show Repeat/Interval/Image Type View Mode Folder View(Still)/Folder View(MP4)/AVCHD View Image Index 6 Images/12 Images Rotate Counterclockwise Protect Multiple Img.
Setup Allows you to make more detailed shooting settings, or change the camera settings. Shooting Settings Sets how the AEL button works. (Hold/Toggle) AF/MF control Sets how the AM/FM button works. (Hold/Toggle) Dial/Wheel Lock Sets whether or not to lock the control dials and the control wheel. (All/Control Wheel/Off) AF Illuminator Sets the AF illuminator to assist auto-focusing in dim places.
GB 36 Peaking Level Enhances the outline of in-focus ranges with a specific color. (High/Mid/Low/Off) Peaking Color Sets the color used for the peaking function. (White/Red/Yellow) MF Assist Displays an enlarged image when focusing manually. (On/Off) MF Assist Time Sets the length of time the image will be shown in an enlarged form. (No Limit/5 Sec/2 Sec) Color Space Changes the range of color reproduction. (sRGB/AdobeRGB) SteadyShot Sets camera shake compensation.
AF Micro Adj. Finely adjusts the autofocused position, when using the LA-EA2 Mount Adaptor (sold separately). (AF Adjustment Setting/amount/Clear) Main Settings Menu start Selects a first-displayed menu from the top menu or the last menu screen. (Top/Previous) Function Settings Sets the functions to call up for the Triple-dial-control. (Function Settings 1 to 4/Custom Settings 1 to 3/ Function Settings Start) Custom Key Settings Assigns functions to the various keys.
USB Connection Selects the method used for a USB connection. (Auto/Mass Storage/MTP) Cleaning Mode Allows you to clean the image sensor. Version Displays the version of the camera and the lens. Demo Mode Sets whether or not to display the demonstration with movies. (On/Off) Reset Default Resets the camera to the factory-settings. Memory Card Tool Format Formats the memory card. File Number Selects the method used for assigning file numbers to images.
The unique digital shooting functions Here we will introduce some of the unique functions achieved by full use of Sony imaging technology. Sweep Panorama/3D Sweep Panorama While you pan or tilt the camera, the camera shoots several images and composes them into a panoramic image. Sweep panorama mode allows you to shoot wide, panoramic scenes that cannot fit all at one time on the screen, without any breaks and discontinuity.
z Tips for shooting a panoramic image Pan the camera in an arc with a constant velocity and in the same direction as the indication on the LCD monitor. [Sweep Panorama] is better suited for still subjects, rather than moving ones. Vertical direction Horizontal direction Radius as short as possible Anti Motion Blur The camera combines 6 shots at high speed into 1 still image, so camera shake is reduced while also preventing noise.
z The difference between [Anti Motion Blur] and [Hand-held Twilight] functions Just as with [Anti Motion Blur], the camera combines 6 shots into 1 still image with [Hand-held Twilight] in [Scene Selection]. [Hand-held Twilight] is designed to be used when shooting a dark scene, such as a scene shot at night. When it becomes dark and camera-shake is likely to occur, the camera automatically increases the sensitivity and shoots at a shutter speed that reduces the effect of camera shake.
α Handbook Refer to “α Handbook” included on the CD-ROM (supplied) for in-depth instructions on the many functions of the camera. For Windows users 1 Turn on your computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) into the CD-ROM drive. 2 Click [Handbook]. 3 Click [Install]. 4 Start “α Handbook” from the shortcut on the desktop. For Macintosh users GB 42 1 Turn on your computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) into the CD-ROM drive. 2 Select the [Handbook] folder and copy “Handbook.
Restriction of the functions Functions available for each shooting mode The functions you can use depend on the selected shooting mode. In the table below, indicates the function available. – indicates the function not available. The functions you cannot use are displayed in gray on the screen. Shoot Mode (Intelligent Auto) Exposure Comp. Self-timer Cont.
Flash modes available The flash modes you can select depend on the shooting mode and functions selected. In the table below, indicates the function available. – indicates the function not available. The flash modes you cannot select are displayed in gray on the screen.
Notes • The flash modes may be limited also by conditions other than the shooting mode. • Even if you select a workable flash mode, the flash does not fire unless it is raised. • You cannot use the wireless flash with the built-in flash. Use a wireless lighting ratio control flash (sold separately) or a wireless flash (sold separately).
Number of recordable images Once you insert a memory card into the camera and set the power switch to ON, the number of images that can be recorded (should you continue to shoot using the current settings) is displayed on the LCD monitor. Note • When “0” (the number of recordable images) flashes in yellow, the memory card is full. Replace the memory card with another one, or delete images in the current memory card.
Movies The table below shows the approximate recording times available. These are the total times for all movie files. Continuous recording is possible for approximately 29 minutes per recording. The maximum size of an MP4 movie file is about 2 GB.
Number of still images that can be recorded using a battery pack The approximate number of images that can be recorded is as follows when you use the camera with the battery pack (supplied) at full capacity. Note that the actual numbers may be less depending on the conditions of use. LCD monitor mode Approx. 430 images Viewfinder mode Approx. 350 images • The number was estimated with a battery pack at full capacity and under the following conditions: – At an ambient temperature of 25°C (77°F).
List of icons on the screen Icons are displayed on the screen to indicate the camera status. You can change the screen display using DISP (Display Contents) on the control wheel. Shooting standby A Display Indication Shoot Mode PASM Scene Selection Scene Recognition Movie recording Others Aspect ratio of still images Playback 24M 20M 12M 10M 6M 5.
Display Indication Display Indication 60i/50i 60i/50i 60p/50p 24p/25p 24p/25p Recording mode of movies 101-0012 Playback folder – File number Protect Print order B Memory card/ Upload 123Min 100% Display Indication Soft keys (MENU/ Shooting mode/ Delete/Enlarge) Recordable time of movies Remaining battery C Flash charge in progress Display Indication Flash Mode/Red Eye Reduction AF illuminator Live view Drive Mode Does not record sound during movie recording Focus mode SteadyShot/ Stead
Display Indication AWB White Balance Display ±0.0 ISO400 7500K Indication Exposure compensation ISO sensitivity AE lock A7 G7 Shutter speed indicator DRO/Auto HDR Creative Style Picture Effect Aperture indicator REC 0:12 Recording time of the movie (m:s) 2011-1-1 9:30AM Recorded date/time of the image 12/12 Image number/ Number of images in the view mode Smile detection sensitivity indicator Others Appears when HDR did not work on the image.
Troubleshooting If you experience trouble with the camera, try the following solutions. 1 Check the items in “Troubleshooting” in the “α Handbook” (PDF) included on the CD-ROM (supplied). 2 Remove the battery pack, wait for about 1 minute, re-insert the battery pack, then turn on the power. 3 Reset the settings (page 38). 4 Consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
Specifications Camera [Recording media] [System] “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, SD card Camera type: Interchangeable lens digital camera Lens: E-mount lens [Image sensor] Image sensor: 23.5 × 15.6 mm (APS-C format) CMOS image sensor Total pixel number of image sensor: Approx. 24 700 000 pixels Effective pixel number of camera: Approx.
Mass (CIPA compliant): Approx. 350 g (12.3 oz) (including battery and “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media) Approx. 291 g (10.3 oz) (camera only) Operating temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) File format: Still image: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.3, MPF Baseline) compliant, DPOF compatible 3D still images: MPO (MPF Extended (Disparity Image)) compliant Movie (AVCHD format): AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compatible Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.
Filter diameter: 49 mm Dimensions (max. diameter × height): Approx. 62.0 × 60.0 mm (2 1/2 × 2 3/8 inches) Mass: Approx. 194 g (6.8 oz) Compensation effect3): Approx. 4 steps 1) The values for equivalent 35 mmformat focal length and angle of view are based on digital cameras equipped with an APS-C sized image sensor. 2) Minimum focus is the shortest distance from the image sensor to the subject.
Index Numerics 3D Sweep Panorama.................... 39 Drive Mode ................................. 31 DRO/Auto HDR.......................... 33 A E AE lock .................................. 28, 35 AEL.............................................. 35 AF Illuminator ............................. 35 AF Micro Adj. ............................. 37 AF/MF control ....................... 27, 35 AF/MF Select............................... 31 Anti Motion Blur ......................... 40 Aperture Priority ....
Intelligent Auto ............................ 30 ISO ............................................... 33 Program Auto ........................ 13, 30 Protect ......................................... 34 L Q Language...................................... 37 LCD Brightness ........................... 37 LCD Display (DISP).................... 31 Lens Comp.: Chro. Aber.............. 36 Lens Comp.: Distortion ............... 36 Lens Comp.: Shading................... 36 Live View Display ......................
W White Balance........................ 14, 33 Wide Image.................................. 37 Wind Noise Reduct...................... 36 Z Zoom..............................................
Others GB 59
GB 60
Others GB 61
GB 62
Others GB 63
NEX-7 Additional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Support Website. Printed using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink.
